In The Middle ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a fabulous weather and the sun shone where you are! Can you believe we're starting another brand new week? This year is absolutely flying by at lightning speed but the start of a new week means that we have a fun new challenge starting over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week is called ~ In The Middle!

If you're inspired by being "in the middle" then we would love to see what you create! Are you stuck in the middle of creative chaos? Will your focal point be in the middle of your project? Or will you journal about being in the middle of something? Whatever you decide, we hope you'll join us!!

For my project, I couldn't resist using those crazy birds from the Bird Crazy stamp set by Tim Holtz and of course, there's always one that will stand out in the middle of a crowd and look how this cutie has made sure she's the centre of attention!!!

So, here's what I did to create my card:

To begin with I created a kraft card blank, 21 x 15cm. I then used the Torn Notebook On The Edge die to create a decorative edge along the opening. Apply a small amount of Picket Fence Distress Paint around the edge.

Cut a piece of Resist Paper to size and ink with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink. Rip and tear the edges before matting it onto a piece of black card, followed by white card. Wrap a piece of Crinkle Ribbon, dyed with Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain around the centre of the card and secure at the back. Mount the layers of card onto the front of your card blank.

Next, I took a piece of watercolour card and cut it to size, approx 16 x 12cm. I then stamped the outer two birds directly onto my card using Archival Ink. To create the little group of birdies, I used the masking technique and for this, I used two Post-It notes and stamped the same two birds that I'd previously stamped onto the notes. Cut out each of the Post It note bird and then layer them over the top of the images stamped onto your watercolour card. Now take your third bird stamp and ink up with Archival Ink and stamp this bird into the middle of the group. Remove the masks but keep them for later, and you will now see that the middle bird is in the centre of the group but behind the other two, giving perspective to the image. At this point I stamped this image onto a third postage note and then cut this bird out.

I watercolored the image using Distress Marker Pens, blending the colours with a water brush to give shading and definition to the image. When all your artwork is completely dry, place all three masks over the top of the stamped images and then place the Rays Layering Stencil over the top of the watercolour card. Using a combination of Mustard Seed and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink, blend the inks through the stencil to create a background. Remove the stencil and then ink the edges of the card with Pumice Stone Distress Ink before drawing a line around the edge with a black Fude Ball. 

To complete the image, I needed something to make this bird stand out and for that, I used the hat from the Simon Says Stamp Make A Splash stamp and die set and simply stamped the hat onto a further piece of watercolour card, coloured it in with Distress Marker Pens and die cut the image before popping it into pride of place!

Matt the stamped image onto your covered card blank.

For the wording, I used the Hero Arts Alphabet stamps to stamp out each individual letter onto white card, to create the message. I then cut the wording up into separate words, inked around the edges of each piece and attached them to my card.

Cut and dye a further piece of crinkle ribbon using Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain and tie the ribbon into a scruffy bow. Attach the bow on the right hand side of the card.

Apply some Picket Fence Distress Paint to the back of a Monocle and before the paint has completely dried and using a dry cloth, buff away a small amount of the paint. Add a Remnant Rub to the front and then attach with a pin to your bow. Finally add a Sprocket Gear to the centre of the bow.

And that completes my Crazy Birds card.

I really hope you've enjoyed how this tutorial and that you love this card as much as I loved making it. Those birds never fail to make me giggle whenever I see them!

If you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead

See you again soon...love Emma xx

Products used:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Bird Crazy

Simon Says Stamp Stamps: Make A Splash

Hero Arts Printer Lowercase Alphabet Stamps

Tim Holtz Dies: Torn Notebook On The Edge Die

Inks: Jet Black Archival Ink, Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink, Mustard Seed DI, Pumice Stone DI

Distress Marker Pens

Distress Paint: Picket Fence

Distress Stain: Cracked Pistachio

Layering Stencil: Rays

Idea-Ology ~ Crinkle Ribbon, Mini Sprocket Gears, Monocle, Remnant Rubs, Loop Pins

Surfaces: Watercolour Card, Tim Holtz Motif Cardstock Pack, Black Card, White Card, Ranger Kraft Card

Fude Ball

Blending Tools

Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot

Heat Gun